THE TECHNOLOGY OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS – CONCEPT

AND PHILOSOPHYProfessor Teruo Higa

University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan

ABSTRACT

The concept and technology of Effective Microorganisms (EM) was developed by Professor Dr. Teruo Higa,

at the University of Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan in 1970s. The fundamental principle of this technology was

the introduction of a group of beneficial microorganisms to improve the soil condition, suppress putrefying

(disease inducing) microbes and improve the efficacy of organic matter utilization by crops.

EM is a fermented mixed culture of beneficial microorganisms. These are Lactic acid bacteria, Phototropic

bacteria and Yeast. These microorganisms exist in nature and are utilized for food processing and probiotic

for livestock. The culture of EM contains these species, in an acidic medium. This solution does not contain

any genetically modified microorganisms.

Research and field studies in all continents have shown that the inoculation of EM culture to the soil/plant

ecosystem can improve soil quality, soil health, and the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Similar

benefits have also been reported when EM is used in animal production systems.

EM can significantly enhance the beneficial effects of soil and crop management practices, especially in

organic farming systems. The solution will help the decomposition process of organic materials through

fermentation, and produce beneficial organic acids, bioactive substance and vitamins. A key ingredient in

this process is organic matter, which is supplied by recycling crop residues, green manures and animal

manure. In addition this process leads to increased humus in the soil.

The use of EM is not restricted to the production of food. It is used extensively in waste management with

very good results as shown by numerous studies and field applications in many countries In the recent past,

antioxidation effects of EM have been reported, which could improve immune system of plants and animals.

The presentation highlights the development and current uses of EM in a global context.

INTRODUCTION

As we enter the new millennium, the scene we see around is not pleasing to the eyes of humankind. There

are both natural and human originated disasters all over the world. Some even believe that these calamities

could culminate in the destruction of mother earth!

Under such circumstances, can we, the human race not develop some mechanism to surmount these

problems? The answer is simple - WE CAN!

The first problem that humans must solve is of food. The second is of the environment. How we do this? It is

strongly believed hat the concept lies in the feature of treating the earth and its ecosystems in a holistic

matter – by considering the entire ecosystem.

Looking back at the developments made in the latter half of the last century, we see one significant

phenomenon. The thrust was to increase food production. This was done very successfully using all the

resources that one could see with the naked eye. All the rest were forgotten. This was the root to all problems.

While the humans, in their endeavor to increase food production at any cost, forgot or ignored the vital link

in all ecosystems – the Microorganisms. These small living organisms link the detritus and grazing food

chains and keep the energy and nutrient flows moving through the ecosystems and its living beings

The recognition of this factor dawned on me in the 1970s while working with chemical fertilizers and

pesticides Thus, while researching on microbes in our University, I accidentally discovered that a microbial

mixture thrown aside had a significant impact on a patch of grass!! This paved the way for the development

of the Technology that I termed Effective Microorganisms (EM) in the late 1979’s.

THE TECHNOLOGY OF EFFECTIVE MICROORGANISMS

At the inception of my studies, 80 species were used to develop the solutions of Effective Microorganisms

(EM). This selection was done from over two thousand species of microbes found in all environments. The

species selected were all commonly utilized in the food and fermentation industries. However, this was very

complex process for a simple and environmentally friendly technology such that of EM. Thus studies were

carried to simplify the process of developing EM in all environments.

Today, EM is developed using three principal organisms, namely Phototrophic bacteria, Lactic acid bacteria

and Yeasts. These three types are indispensable for EM and even if other species were not included, these

would develop coexisting forms with other beneficial organisms in the environment. This happens, as EM is

not made under sterile conditions, but using simple technology in many difficult environments. Thus, the

EM of today consists of these three principal types, which is subsequently enriched naturally by other

species such as filamentous fungi and Actinomycetes. The fundamental principle is that the three principal

species must be abundant in EM and the pH of the solution must be below 3.5. This is the technology and if

this combination is found, that solution, made anywhere will develop the beneficial effects of EM.

I would also like to emphasize one aspect that troubles all when we speak of microorganisms. This is the

concern about genetically modified organisms. EM was developed initially at a time when genetic

manipulations were a pipedream of many. Certainly in Okinawa, we did not have the technology for this.

Hence it was impossible to use G M O’s in EM. More importantly, EM is now made in all continents from

the three species I mentioned earlier, which are isolated from the respective environments. Hence, I do

assure you that EM does not contain any genetically modified organisms, nor does it contain microbes

brought in from Japan.

The application of EM is easy and is harmless. However, the use of EM does not only enhance the microbes

found in EM in that environment. It acts as a catalyst with a synergistic effect to promote all the beneficial

microbes of that environment. When this happens, the microbes that develop harmful effects are excluded

from that ecosystem, in a manner akin to human activity, where good people weed out the bad ones. Thus

the soil microflora and fauna change from a disease inducing soil to a disease suppressive soil. With time

and with EM and organic matter, such a soil has a capacity to develop into a zymogenic soil, which as we

know is capable of sustaining production. The process enhances to increase the humus content of the soil

and generally an infertile Oxisol would finally end up as a black fertile soil, capable of supporting bountiful

yields. This has been well proven in many environments as reported at many international forums.

THE CONCEPT AND PHILOSOPHY OF EM TECHNOLOGY

The technology of EM is based on holding the three principal species together at a very low pH, when most

species of microbes die. Many microbiologists have tried combining these species in laboratories and

examining the functions and activities of EM in isolation. This does not work and they claim that EM is

ineffective. However, I do assure you that EM works as shown by numerous examples every day. I do

request the microbiologists to work with EM and organic matter in soils, where the activity really takes

place.

Many have studied the mode of action of EM and interesting results have been reported. I presented some of

them at the last conference two years ago. It was stated that EM helps produce antioxidant substances such

as Inositol, Ubiquinone, Saponin, low molecular polysaccharides, polyphenols and Chelates of minerals.

These antioxidant substances, which are now proven to develop disease suppression even in humans, are

formed with the application of EM. This in turn allows the multiplication of beneficial microbes, while

inhibiting the harmful species.

The antioxidant substances formed by EM in the decomposition and fermentation of organic matter has the

capacity of detoxifying harmful substances. They suppress harmful reactions by deionization of hazardous

substances and also promote the chelation of heavy metals such as iron and induce microbes to secrete

decomposing enzymes such as lignin peroxidase. Such enzymes have the capacity to decompose residual

agrochemicals and even dioxin in soils. Thus, if EM is used with organic matter in soils, which have been

heavily contaminated with pesticides or have high concentrations of dioxin, they are detoxified within 2 – 3

seasons. This has been proven in many environments.

The role of EM is also enhanced by the gravity wave resonance originating from the phototrophic bacteria.

These waves have higher frequencies and lower energy than gamma and X rays. These waves are capable of

transforming harmful energy forms in nature into beneficial forms through resonance. This is the technology

of Effective Microorganisms.

FUNCTIONS OF EM

EM is something that is environmentally friendly and safe for use in all agricultural system. Its continuous

use results in strengthening the vigor of plants. Research and farmer experiences present instances where

crops grown with EM have withstood droughts, floods and temperature extremes. Use of EM has resulted in

the increase of soil fauna such as earthworms. Such a phenomenon softens the soil, which in turns reduces

the requirement of excessive tillage. Further examples of the benefits of EM include weed control with time.

This is by spraying EM at dilutions of 1:500 or 1:100 and lightly cultivating soils. This process composts the

weeds, and thus reduces weed populations with time. EM increases soil temperatures especially in the

temperate regions, due to microbial activity. These are some of the many benefits of EM in Agriculture.

EM is also used in pest and disease management. Medicinal herbs and spices such as pepper, garlic and

onions are blended with EM and fermented with molasses for 7 – 10 days. This solution not only prevents

pest and disease incidence, but also promotes photosynthesis in plants and enhances plant vigor.

The above examples show the multitude of benefits of EM, which have been well proven in many

environments. Thus it is a holistic technology. All these benefits are due to the combined benefits of the

wave resonance and antioxidant properties of EM. The negative effects are reduced and at times, the

negative energy is transformed in to developing positive effects. A clear example is the use of EM in

mitigating radioactive contamination as that found in Belarus. These studies have also shown that continued

use of EM has reduced contamination. This could be attributed to the development of gravity waves with

very high frequencies and ultra low energies. Thus, EM and the gravity wave resonance produced by EM are

used in areas such as energy saving technologies and mitigating the effects of dioxin.

The above stated activities of EM are due to the phenomenon of syntropy, which is the opposite of entropy.

This EM has the power to change the nature of things, where pollutants can be made into beneficial

materials. This is well exemplified by the many integrated farms developed with EM in places such as

Thailand and Indonesia. I also know of such units now being developed in South Africa, for research and

testing purposes.

EM IN THE MODERN WORLD

Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on chemicals, which has caused tremendous problems of

environmental degradation and human health. In addition, the inclusion of genetically engineered species

has further aggravated the problems by causing imbalances in nature. Thus, Nature Farming is fast gathering

momentum as an alternative way of life and productivity. However, nature or even the common organic

farming systems are beset with problems, primarily of low yield and poor returns to investment. In addition,

they require large quantities of good quality organic matter. This is the modern trend in agriculture.

EM can help these changes in Nature Farming significantly, to overcome its problems. This microbial

solution can convert all wastes into very good fertilizers in a short time. It can enhance soil quality when

used with organic matter. Many examples of this aspect have been presented over the past 10 years and

again many will be stated over the next two days, and you would see the results in the field as well. Thus

EM technology can be considered an additive in agriculture that is safe, comfortable, low cost with a

significant potential of producing high yields of good quality crops. Thus, the excessive use of energy and

chemicals seen in modern agriculture could be replaced with EM, for greater profits through agriculture,

using a lower quantum of energy. Thus EM is an alternative but very appropriate technology for the modern

world.

EM FOR THE FUTURE

Agriculture and environments of the future must be self sustaining and sustainable. This is a very ambitious

objective. However, this is possible EM. This system will ensure the best utilization of resources found in all

ecosystems. It will ensure that all pollutants, that are problems today are converted into good organic

fertilizers. This is vital for sustaining productivity and soil quality. The enhancement of photosynthesis by

EM will ensure the entrapment of the solar energy and also reduce the problems of carbon dioxide increase

in the atmosphere. EM can be used even in desert and sodic environments such as those in Pakistan, Egypt

and Mongolia. These are not dreams as projects are already underway in these regions, which are showing

very good results. EM would enable the cultivation of soils in cold regions as it increases soil temperatures

by 2 – 3 degrees Celsius, due to microbial activity. EM can increase soil fertility, as shown by the high

degree of success in the Democratic Republic of Korea, where wheat, rice and other crops have been

cultivated in infertile soils under very low temperature conditions. In the United States, EM is also used for

increasing yields of wheat and cotton in organic systems, with very low inputs. Thus it will be an ideal

system of agriculture for the future, to ensure the sustenance of soils and maintenance of productivity, an

aim that is being stated in all international forum discussing agriculture.

It is also important to note that most predictions state that the world will run short of good water for humans

and farming in the next century. It is with happiness that I can state examples of wastewater treatment with

EM, which has ensured recycling many times. This has been well proven in Japan, Indonesia, Egypt, United

States and many other countries. Thus, again, EM technology is something that could help mitigate a crisis

by purifying water for recycling. This would certainly avoid a crisis.

CONCLUSIONS

The agriculture of the world is facing many problems. They can be site specific or global. However, if one

thinks diligently and with care, it would soon be realized that there are answers to these problems. Amongst

the many types of solutions offered, EM technology has a very important role. This is not stated as a forecast,

but with very successful experiences in all continents of this earth. Thus, in conclusion, I do wish to

emphasize that EM is something worth trying – it is not heresy but a technology well tested and proven.

SUGGESTED READINGS

HIGA , T 1993. An earth saving revolution. Sunmark Publishing Inc, Japan.

HIGA, T 1994. An earth saving revolution II Sunmark Publishing Inc, Japan.

Proceedings of International Kyusei Nature Farming Conferences 1989 – 1997. INFRC Japan or APNAN,

Thailand.

Proceedings of IFOAM Conferences. 1994 – 2000. IFOAM, Germany.

* Suggested readings are available at the Royal Agricultural College library